Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Agar-Agar and Chitosan as Precursors in the Synthesis of Functional Film for Foods: A Review

This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews the use of agar-agar and chitosan biopolymers to develop sustainable natural packaging films for the food industry.

2023 Macromol—A Journal of Macromolecular Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging

Researchers reviewed the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. Chitosan-based materials combined with natural additives show promising antimicrobial and biocompatible properties while being biodegradable. The study suggests these materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste and the associated microplastic pollution from food industry sources.

2023 Materials 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan as a sustainable alternative for fresh food packaging: Structural insights, modification strategies, and innovations for commercial viability

Researchers reviewed how chitosan — a natural biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — can serve as a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic food packaging, detailing chemical modification strategies, nanocomposite reinforcement approaches, and recent advances in antimicrobial and antioxidant performance that improve its commercial viability.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Role of Chitosan in Fabricating Biodegradable Films for Functional Food Packaging: A Review

This review examines the use of chitosan — a biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — in fabricating biodegradable food packaging films, evaluating its mechanical, antimicrobial, and barrier properties as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

2023 Journal of Young Pharmacists 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Novel, Edible Melanin-Protein-Based Bioactive Films for Cheeses: Antimicrobial, Mechanical and Chemical Characteristics

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it develops melanin-protein bioactive films for cheese rind protection, evaluating antimicrobial, mechanical, and chemical properties.

2023 Foods 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and characterization of active gelatin-chitosan packaging incorporated with guava leaf extract for extending meat shelf life

Researchers developed active food packaging films made from gelatin and chitosan incorporating natural antimicrobial agents, evaluating their barrier properties, mechanical strength, and ability to extend food shelf life. The bio-based packaging showed effective antimicrobial activity and reduced food spoilage compared to untreated films.

2024 Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Fungal chitosan in focus: a comprehensive review on extraction methods and applications

Researchers reviewed fungal-derived chitosan as a biodegradable plastic alternative for food packaging, highlighting advantages over marine-sourced chitosan — including lower mineral content, year-round supply, and reduced microplastic contamination risk — alongside advances in extraction techniques such as deep eutectic solvents and enzymatic processing.

2025 Food Research International 6 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of advancements in chitosan-essential oil composite films: Better and sustainable food preservation with biodegradable packaging

This review covers how films made from chitosan (a natural material from shellfish) combined with essential oils are being developed as biodegradable food packaging to replace conventional plastics. By reducing reliance on plastic packaging, these alternatives could help decrease the amount of microplastics that migrate into food and are ultimately consumed by people.

2024 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 49 citations
Article Tier 2

An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan

Researchers developed a biodegradable food packaging film made from natural materials including chitosan and resveratrol that kills bacteria and prevents food spoilage. Unlike conventional plastic packaging that breaks down into microplastics, this film is made entirely from biological materials and poses no microplastic contamination risk. This type of eco-friendly alternative could help reduce the microplastics that enter the food supply through traditional plastic packaging.

2024 Small 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Antimicrobial Effect of Chitosan Films on Food Spoilage Bacteria

Researchers evaluated the antibacterial activity of chitosan films combined with metal oxides and graphene oxide derivatives against Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes. The results support chitosan-based composite films as promising biodegradable alternatives to synthetic plastic food packaging with inherent antimicrobial properties.

2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Biomimetic Design of Biodegradable Polymer Films for Sustainable Food Packaging: Integrating Indigenous Material Wisdom with Modern Chemistry

This paper is not primarily about microplastic pollution; it describes the development of biodegradable food packaging films from biopolymers like chitosan and alginate as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, with the goal of preventing microplastic generation at the source rather than studying existing contamination.

2026 International Journal of Applied and Behavioral Sciences
Article Tier 2

Seaweed-based films for sustainable food packaging: properties, incorporation of essential oils, applications, and future directions

This review analyzed seaweed-based films for sustainable food packaging, covering their mechanical and barrier properties, the incorporation of essential oils for antimicrobial activity, and applications across different food commodities.

2023 Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan-Based Films Blended with Tannic Acid and Moringa Oleifera for Application in Food Packaging: The Preservation of Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa)

Researchers developed biodegradable food packaging films made from chitosan blended with tannic acid and moringa seed powder, and tested them for strawberry preservation. They found that the bio-based films extended strawberry shelf life while providing antimicrobial properties, offering a potential alternative to conventional plastic packaging. The study suggests that natural polymer-based packaging materials could help reduce plastic waste in the food industry.

2024 Polymers 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing water resistance and mechanical properties of starch‐based edible biofilms through chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate modifications

Researchers developed improved starch-based edible biofilms using chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic food wrapping. The study found that these modifications significantly enhanced the biofilms' mechanical strength and water resistance while maintaining non-toxic and antimicrobial properties, offering a promising eco-friendly replacement for conventional plastic packaging.

2024 Polymer Engineering and Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Seaweed Polysaccharide in Food Contact Materials (Active Packaging, Intelligent Packaging, Edible Films, and Coatings)

This review examines how seaweed-based polysaccharides are being developed as alternatives to conventional plastics for food packaging applications, including active packaging, intelligent packaging, and edible coatings. Researchers found that these natural materials can extend food shelf life by providing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties while being biodegradable. The study highlights seaweed polysaccharides as a promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging in the food industry.

2021 Foods 111 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of a Fish Gelatin-Based Edible Film Incorporated with Ficus carica L. Leaf Extract as Active Packaging

This paper is not about microplastics — it evaluates biodegradable edible films made from fish gelatin and fig leaf extract as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging, assessing their mechanical and antimicrobial properties.

2023 Gels 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Nano-Silica and Sorbitol on the Properties of Chitosan-Based Composite Films

Chitosan composite films incorporating nano-silica and sorbitol were prepared and characterized, finding that the additives improved film flexibility and mechanical properties while maintaining biodegradability, with potential applications in food packaging.

2023 Polymers 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Tuning the Properties of Xylan/Chitosan-Based Films by Temperature and Citric Acid Crosslinking Agent

This paper is not about microplastics in an environmental or health context; it describes the development of xylan-chitosan bioplastic films crosslinked with citric acid as a petroleum-free alternative packaging material, focused on material properties rather than pollution or exposure.

2024 Polymers 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancements in Chitosan–Anthocyanin Composite Films: Sustainable Food Preservation with Biodegradable Packaging

This review covers recent progress in developing biodegradable food packaging made from chitosan (derived from shellfish) combined with anthocyanins (plant pigments), which can preserve food freshness while avoiding the microplastic contamination associated with traditional plastic packaging. These films have antibacterial and antioxidant properties and can even change color to indicate food spoilage, offering a promising alternative to single-use plastics.

2025 Foods 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent advances in carrageenan-based films for food packaging applications

This review covers recent advances in carrageenan-based biodegradable films as sustainable alternatives to plastic food packaging, examining extraction methods, film fabrication strategies, and applications in extending food shelf life.

2022 Frontiers in Nutrition 120 citations
Article Tier 2

Production and Characterization of k-Carrageenan Films Incorporating Cymbopogon winterianus Essential Oil as New Food Packaging Materials

Researchers developed biodegradable food packaging films made from seaweed-derived k-carrageenan combined with citronella essential oil as a potential replacement for petroleum-based plastics. The films showed strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties while maintaining good structural integrity. The study suggests these bio-based films could serve as a more environmentally friendly alternative for food packaging applications.

2023 Foods 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Packaging Materials for Foods Preservation: Sources, Advantages, Limitations, and Future Perspectives

This review examines biodegradable packaging materials derived from natural sources as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics for food preservation. Researchers found that materials made from polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids can effectively extend food shelf life while being more environmentally friendly. The study acknowledges that cost and performance limitations remain, but highlights recent advances in combining these natural materials with antimicrobial and antioxidant agents to improve their practical viability.

2023 Coatings 87 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of coating with combined chitosan and gallic acid on shelf-life stability of Jeju black cattle beef

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it examines chitosan and gallic acid coatings as meat preservation techniques with no connection to plastic pollution or environmental contamination.

2023 Animal Bioscience 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Material and Environmental Properties of Natural Polymers and Their Composites for Packaging Applications—A Review

This review assessed the material and environmental properties of natural polymers including cellulose, starch, chitosan, and protein for food packaging applications, comparing their performance to conventional plastics. The authors found that natural polymer composites can approach the tensile strength and water vapor barrier properties needed for packaging while offering significant environmental benefits at end of life.

2022 Polymers 69 citations